One of the most influential women in the sector promises to give voice to artists to reflect their visions
New York-based Cecilia Alemani, born in Milan in 1977, is one of the most influential women in the contemporary art sector. In 2017, she curated the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale. Now, president Paolo Baratta appointed her to lead the entire event in 2021. This is among the most prominent international contemporary art appointments. In fact, the Venice Art Biennale began in 1895 and has grown to become one of the most important contemporary art events in the world.
Among her most prestigious assignments, Alemani, since 2011, has been chief curator of the New York High Line Art. For it, she commissioned a variety of site-specific works ranging from sculptures to installations, group shows, and performances.
And under her direction, the public art project of the former railroad turned elevated park, has become an international case study.
From 2012 to 2017, she was the curator of Frieze Projects, a program of new artists’ commissions realized annually at the Frieze New York art fair. While in 2011, she curated the biennial of performance in New York, Performa.
Thanks to her curatorship in 2017, the Italian Pavilion of the Venice Biennale featured site-specific works by Giorgio Andreotta Calò, Adelita Husni-Bey, and Roberto Cuoghi. The 59th edition of the Venice Art Biennale will take place from May to November 2021.
The theme and participants have yet to be announced. However, commenting on her new appointment she said: “As the first Italian woman to hold this position, I understand and appreciate the responsibility and also the opportunity offered to me. I intend to give voice to artists to create unique projects that reflect their visions and our society.”
Ilona Catani Scarlett